Doonbeg Golf Club, Doonbeg, Ireland

Doonbeg Golf Club occupies such an incredible piece of property that Greg Norman couldn’t believe an opportunity to build a links course of this caliber still existed! Years ago, the property was actually the first choice of the Black Watch regiment, founders of Lahinch Golf Club, but they chose Lahinch instead because of its proximity to the West Clare Railway. As they say at Doonbeg, their time was simply delayed for another 100 years. Norman didn’t disappoint, and having delivered an amazing and unforgettable links, is justifiably proud of his work. A very old-fashioned course that looks as if it’s been there forever, it includes shared fairways, holes crossing each other, greens located in massive natural amphitheaters, and bunkers looking like they were created by the local sheep seeking refuge from the gales. It is simply unforgettable, and the crescent beach and towering dunescape has already achieved instant recognition and fame in the golf world. The 14th is one of those rare holes that become seared into the mind upon first sight of even a photo, a tiny par-3 at the center of the crescent beach, waves crashing beyond, anywhere between a flip-wedge and a 5-iron depending on the breeze. Convenient to Shannon Airport, Doonbeg is a must on any itinerary!